Transaction terminal device

ABSTRACT

When settlement terminal device performs a settlement process with a settlement destination device (for example, an acquirer or a settlement processor), settlement terminal device displays a screen regarding the settlement process on display unit of touch panel and detects an input operation of important key input reception icon displayed on display unit. CPU determines whether an input operation with respect to this important key input reception icon, that is, an operation for selecting important key input reception icon and dragging and dropping important key input reception icon to YES icon has been performed. When a drag and drop operation of important key input reception icon is detected, CPU executes content of the input operation with respect to important key input reception icon, and transmits a settlement processing request to the settlement destination device. Settlement terminal device facilitates the operator being conscious of an operation with respect to a specific target.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a transaction terminal device used toperform a procedure for a settlement process in a transaction.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, various software keys (also referred to as “softwarekeyboard”) are operatively displayed on a touch panel mounted on atransaction terminal device used to perform a procedure of a settlementprocess in a transaction. These software keys include a salesregistration key or a confirmation completion key having an importantmeaning in the transaction for an operator who mainly uses thetransaction terminal device (a clerk of a member shop (for example, astore) that handles, for example, a settlement process for transactionusing a credit card carried by a purchaser).

Here, the sales registration key is pressed, for example, when creditfor the purchaser is completed without a problem and an amount ofpurchase is appropriated as an amount of sales money. The confirmationcompletion key is pressed, for example, when confirmation of content ofvarious items (for example, an amount of purchase, the number of timesof payment, a card brand, and a PIN (Personal Identification Number)input by a purchaser) input before communication with a settlementcenter is started in a transaction using a credit card is completed.

For example, in a small settlement terminal shown in Japanese PatentUnexamined Publication No. 2011-48486 as a prior art regarding aterminal for business that processes content of a transaction using aninput operation with respect to a software key of a touch panel, aninformation display area and an information input area are set in adisplay area of a touch panel type display unit, and a numeral keypadimage pattern is displayed in the information input area so that aninput operation with respect to the numeral keypad image pattern can beperformed. Further, this small settlement terminal includes a printer,prints information such as a result of the settlement process on arolled paper built into the terminal in advance, and discharges areceipt on which printing content has been printed from a sheetdischarge outlet.

Further, for example, a sales management device with a touch panel shownin Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2000-231670 measures atime for which an operator presses the touch panel, determines thatthere is normal pressing of the touch panel when the pressing timeexceeds a previously determined pressing recognition time, performs aprocess according to the pressing of the touch panel, and performscontrol to neglect content of the process according to the pressing ofthe touch panel when the pressing time is equal to or less than thepreviously determined pressing recognition time.

However, in the above-described transaction terminal device, it isdifficult to prevent an erroneous operation of a software key having ameaning that is important for an operator, such as the salesregistration key or the confirmation completion key described above. Forexample, when such a software key having an important meaning in atransaction is simply erroneously operated, a trouble is caused for amember shop or for a customer in safe performance of the transaction andinconvenience is caused.

In other words, when an operation having an important meaning in thetransaction is performed with the software key, the erroneous operationmay be simply induced. For example, in the case of a physical key (forexample, a button) rather than the software key, since two-step actions,including an operator contacting the physical key with a finger and theoperator pressing the physical key, are necessary, the operator iseasily conscious of the physical key having been pressed when performingan operation having an important meaning in the transaction.

However, in the transaction terminal device with a touch panel, sincethe same operation as the operation of pressing the software key isperformed only with the finger of the operator simply contacting thesoftware key displayed on the screen, similarly to a two-step operationwith respect to the physical key, the operator is likely to simplyerroneously operate the software key having an important meaning in atransaction (hereinafter, referred to as an “important key”).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A transaction terminal device of this disclosure facilitates an operatorbeing definitely conscious of execution of an input operation having animportant meaning in a transaction through a predetermined inputoperation with respect to a touch panel, and suppresses induction of anerroneous operation.

A transaction terminal device of this disclosure includes a touch panelthat displays various screens; an input operation detection unit thatdetects an input operation with respect to the screen displayed on thetouch panel; a mode control unit that causes display of the touch panelto transition to a dark display when the input operation is not detectedfor a predetermined time or more; and a settlement processing unit thatperforms a settlement process with a settlement destination device, inwhich the mode control unit causes display of content displayed on thetouch panel to be continued instead of causing the display of the touchpanel to transition to the dark display even when the input operation isnot detected for the predetermined time or more while at least thesettlement processing unit is operating.

According to this disclosure, when any one screen is displayed on thetouch panel, the transaction terminal device detects the input operationwith respect to the screen. However, when the input operation is notdetected over a predetermined time or more in the screen, thetransaction terminal device causes the display of the touch panel totransition to the dark display (for example, a sleep mode). Further,when at least a screen regarding the settlement process performed withthe settlement destination device is being displayed on the touch panel,the transaction terminal device causes display of content displayed onthe touch panel to be continued instead of causing the display of thetouch panel to transition to the dark display even when the inputoperation with respect to the screen is not detected for thepredetermined time or more.

Accordingly, when at least a screen regarding the settlement processperformed with the settlement destination device is being displayed onthe touch panel, the transaction terminal device can prevent transitionof the display of the touch panel to the dark display (for example, asleep mode) even when a state in which there is no input operation froman operator lasts for the predetermined time or more. Thus, since thesettlement process is not temporarily interrupted and an operation forcausing the display of the touch panel to return from the dark display(for example, a sleep mode) is not necessary, the settlement process fortransaction content can be rapidly completed.

Therefore, according to this disclosure, it is possible to facilitatethe operator being definitely conscious of execution of the inputoperation having an important meaning in a transaction through apredetermined input operation with respect to the touch panel, and tosuppress induction of the erroneous operation.

Further, according to this disclosure, it is possible to preventtransition to a sleep mode and rapidly complete the settlement processfor the transaction content even when a state in which there is no inputoperation from the operator lasts over a predetermined time or more in acase in which at least the screen regarding the settlement process isdisplayed.

Further, according to this disclosure, it is possible to suppressdisplay of a screen not intended by the operator when the sleep mode ofthe touch panel is released and to improve convenience of the inputoperation for the operator.

Further, according to this disclosure, some functions or processes aretemporarily suppressed or stopped when a printer is operating, and thus,it is possible to reduce a total amount of current flowing into a powersupply unit accommodated inside a housing and suppress powerconsumption.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a settlementterminal device of each of first to fourth exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram concretely illustrating an example of ahardware configuration of the settlement terminal device of the firstexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a settlement processing procedure ofthe settlement terminal device of the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a determination procedure fordetermining whether a predetermined input operation indicating that acustomer has confirmed input content regarding transaction content isperformed in step S6 illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on a touch panelmounted on the settlement terminal device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a settlement processing procedure ofthe settlement terminal device of the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a sleep mode transition processingprocedure of the settlement terminal device of the second exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a screen regarding a settlementprocess.

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a screen of the display unit whentransition to a sleep mode is performed.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram concretely illustrating an example of ahardware configuration of the settlement terminal device of the thirdexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical structure of aplurality of menu screens displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a settlement processing procedure ofthe settlement terminal device of the third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a return processing procedure fromthe sleep mode of the settlement terminal device of the third exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating a menu screen displayed immediatelybefore transition to a sleep mode.

FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating an upper menu screen displayed at thetime of returning from the sleep mode in the menu screen of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13C is a diagram illustrating a menu screen displayed immediatelybefore transition to the sleep mode.

FIG. 13D is a diagram illustrating a menu screen as an immediatelyprevious screen displayed at the time of returning from the sleep modein the menu screen of FIG. 13C.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram concretely illustrating an example of ahardware configuration of the settlement terminal device of the fourthexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a receipt printing operationprocedure in step S8 illustrated in FIG. 3 in the settlement terminaldevice of the fourth exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, each exemplary embodiment according to this disclosure willbe described with reference to the drawings. A settlement terminaldevice used to perform a settlement processing procedure in atransaction will be illustrated and described as one example of atransaction terminal device according to this disclosure in eachexemplary embodiment below.

First Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of settlementterminal device 1 in each of first to fourth exemplary embodiments.Settlement terminal device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 can be used, forexample, for a settlement terminal device for performing settlement of amagnetic reading type of credit card.

Settlement terminal device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes main body 2having a rectangular box shape of which the upper portion is open, and alid portion 3 with which opening 2A of main body 2 is covered, inopening 2A through which printing paper P is charged. In the followingdescription, it is assumed that the lid portion 3 side is a top and themain body 2 side is a bottom.

The touch panel 3D including display unit 3B (for example, configuredusing a liquid crystal display plate; see FIG. 2) and touch inputdetection unit 3C (for example, configured using a touch screen; seeFIG. 2), power switch 3E for turning a power supply of settlementterminal device 1 ON or OFF, and return key 3F for cancelling animmediately previous input operation to return to an immediatelyprevious state are provided on an upper surface of lid portion 3.

In settlement terminal device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, return key 3F maybe omitted. In this case, when an input operation with respect to returnkey 3F is performed with respect to touch panel 3D, substantially thesame process as a pressing operation for return key 3F may be performed.

A software operation key as an example of the software keyboardnecessary for various operations, a software number key as an example ofthe software keyboard for performing number input, a number input by thesoftware number key, information necessary to perform variousoperations, information indicating an operation result, or the like isdisplayed on display unit 3B constituting touch panel 3D.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram concretely illustrating an example of ahardware configuration of settlement terminal device 1 of the firstexemplary embodiment. Settlement terminal device 1 illustrated in FIG. 2includes information processing unit 20.

Information processing unit 20 of settlement terminal device 1illustrated in FIG. 2 is configured to include CPU 21 for controlling anentire process of each unit of settlement terminal device 1, localwireless communication unit 22 to which local wireless communicationantenna 23 is connected, wide area wireless communication unit 24 towhich wide area wireless communication antenna 25 is connected, touchpanel 3D including display unit 3B and touch input detection unit 3C,flash ROM 32, DRAM 33, keypad unit 34, magnetic card reader unit 35,tamper-resistant control unit 36, SRAM 37, backup battery 38, printerI/F 41 connected to printer module 4, and open state detection unit 42connected to open state detection switch 2B.

CPU 21 (Central Processing Unit) includes, for example, a timer 21A fordetecting a long pressing operation or the like performed by anoperator, and performs a control process for generally controlling anentire operation of each unit of settlement terminal device 1, an inputand output process of data with each of other units, a data operation(calculation) process, and a data storage process.

Local wireless communication unit 22 is connected to local wirelesscommunication antenna 23, and performs, for example, wirelesscommunication using a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) via a localwireless communication path (not illustrated). The local wirelesscommunication is not limited, for example, to the wireless LAN, and maybe Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like.

Wide area wireless communication unit 24 is connected to wide areawireless communication antenna 25, and performs wide area wirelesscommunication via a wide area wireless communication path (WAN: WideArea Network) (not illustrated). For the wide area wirelesscommunication, for example, communication using a portable telephoneline, such as W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), UMTS(Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), CDMA (Code DivisionMultiple Access) 2000, or LTE (Long Term Evolution) can be used.

Settlement terminal device 1 of this exemplary embodiment includes twowireless communication units as communication functions, that is, localwireless communication unit 22 and wide area wireless communication unit24, but may include any one of the two wireless communication units.Further, settlement terminal device 1 may include a wired communicationunit using a wired LAN such as IEEE802.3, a public telephone line, or adedicated telephone line, in place of the wireless communication unit.

Display unit 3B is configured, for example, using an LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay) or an organic EL (Electroluminescence), and displays variousapplication screens, information, and data used in an application (notillustrated) installed in settlement terminal device 1 in response to aninstruction of CPU 21.

Touch input detection unit 3C as an example of the input operationdetection unit detects an input operation of an operator (for example, aclerk of a member shop of a credit card or a customer who purchasesgoods) with respect to touch panel 3D.

Flash ROM (Read Only Memory) 32 stores various pieces of data. Thestored data may be, for example, data regarding business or may be aprogram for controlling an operation of settlement terminal device 1(mainly, information processing unit 20). Further, the program includesvarious programs related to an operation of settlement terminal device1, such as a settlement processing application for performing asettlement process with a settlement destination device (for example, anacquirer or a settlement processor) that is an example of a settlementprocessing unit. Therefore, flash ROM 32 functions as a recording mediumthat records the program.

The acquirer is a company that collects member shop contracts of dealingwith transactions of a specific credit card, and generally controlscredit sales. Further, the settlement processor is a company thatreceives business trust from the acquirer and acts on behalf of thesettlement.

DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 33 is a work memory used, forexample, to temporarily store processing data generated midway when acalculation process is performed with an operation of settlementterminal device 1 (mainly, information processing unit 20).

Keypad unit 34 includes power switch 3E and “Return” key 3F illustratedin FIG. 1.

Magnetic card reader unit 35 is provided on a side surface of a mainbody opposite to a side surface 2H of the main body on which anunlocking button 5A is provided in FIG. 1, together with a slit (notillustrated) on which the magnetic card is slid. Card information thatmagnetic card reader unit 35 reads from a magnetic stripe of themagnetic card is input to CPU 21.

Printer module 4 as an example of a printing unit is connected to CPU 21via a printer interface (hereinafter, “printer I/F”) 41 that performsbus conversion/signal conversion, and prints information or dataindicated by CPU 21 on printing paper P under control of CPU 21.

Open state detection switch 2B is provided in main body 2, detects, forexample, that the lid portion 3 is opened by the operator, and outputs adetection result to CPU 21 via open state detection unit 42. That is, asignal indicating whether lid portion 3 is opened or lid portion 3 isclosed is input to CPU 21.

Further, a power supply unit (not illustrated) for supplying power toeach unit of settlement terminal device 1, as well as informationprocessing unit 20, is provided.

CPU 21, tamper-resistant control unit 36, and SRAM (Static Random AccessMemory) 37 are connected to backup battery 38, and receive supply ofpower from backup battery 38 while supply of the power from power supplyunit (not illustrated) is stopped.

Tamper-resistant control unit 36 secures tamper-resistantcharacteristics of settlement terminal device 1. The “tamper-resistantcharacteristics” refer to resistance to fraudulent analysis ormodification of software or hardware in the device, fraudulent captureor modification of information in the device, or an attack disabling useof the information. That is, the tamper-resistant characteristics are,for example, difficulty in analysis of an internal structure included inthe software or the hardware or data stored in the software or thehardware. With the tamper-resistant characteristics, for example, it ispossible to protect information of a service reception person (forexample, a customer) and safely perform the transaction. The informationof the service reception person is stored, for example, in SRAM 37, and,tamper-resistant control unit 36 disables erasure of or access to theinformation stored in SRAM 37 when tamper-resistant control unit 36detects fraudulent analysis, modification, attack, information capture,or signs thereof described above.

Further, a non-contact IC card reader and writer unit that reads cardinformation recorded on a non-contact IC card, and a contact type ICcard reader unit that reads card information recorded on a contact typeIC card may be provided in information processing unit 20. The cardinformation read by the non-contact IC card reader and writer unit orthe contact type IC card reader unit is input to CPU 21.

Next, an operation of settlement terminal device 1 of this exemplaryembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is aflowchart illustrating a settlement processing procedure of settlementterminal device 1 of the first exemplary embodiment. A case in which asettlement process is performed, for example, using a magnetic creditcard carried by a customer will be described in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, first, CPU 21 causes display unit 3B of touch panel 3D todisplay a prompt (screen) for promoting an operator to perform amagnetic card reading operation so as to start an application for asettlement process (S1). When a clerk of a member shop (for example, astore) performs a reading operation of the magnetic credit card carriedby the customer, the magnetic card reader unit 35 reads informationrecorded on the magnetic credit card. When CPU 21 receives theinformation read by magnetic card reader unit 35, CPU 21 causes displayunit 3B of touch panel 3D to display an input screen (for example, seeFIG. 5) of the transaction content that is a settlement processingtarget in the settlement processing application.

Then, the clerk of the store performs an operation to input informationregarding transaction content that is a settlement processing target totouch panel 3D while receiving confirmation from the customer. CPU 21detects this input operation through touch input detection unit 3C.

For example, a card brand of the magnetic credit card is selected by theinput operation of the operator (for example, a clerk), and informationregarding this selected card brand is input to CPU 21 (S2). Then, anamount of settlement money is input by an input operation of theoperator (for example, a clerk), and information regarding this inputamount of settlement money is input to CPU 21 (S3). Further, a paymentmethod (for example, one-time payment or installment) is selected, thenumber of times of payment is input, and information regarding theselected payment method and the input number of times of payment isinput to CPU 21 (S4).

When the information such as the payment method is input, the customerthen inputs a signature of the customer to a signature input area (notillustrated) of a signature PAD displayed on display unit 3B of touchpanel 3D. CPU 21 acquires information regarding the input signaturethrough touch input detection unit 3C (S5).

Then, the customer performs an operation with respect to touch panel 3Dto finally confirm the input content regarding the transaction contentthat is a settlement processing target, and performs a predeterminedinput operation (details thereof will be described below) indicatingthat the input content has been confirmed. In response to thepredetermined operation indicating that the customer has confirmed theinput content, CPU 21 performs communication in local wirelesscommunication unit 22 or wide area wireless communication unit 24, andtransmits a request for a settlement process including all pieces ofinput content (for example, the card information, the amount ofsettlement money, the payment method, and the number of times ofpayment) that have been input, to an acquirer or a settlement processor(not illustrated) (S6).

When credit is given from the acquirer or the settlement processor as anexample of the settlement destination device, and a determination resultfor permitting transaction content is transmitted to settlement terminaldevice 1, CPU 21 causes a result of confirming the transaction contentthat is a settlement processing target to be displayed on display unit3B of touch panel 3D (S7). Further, CPU 21 causes this confirmationresult for the transaction content that is a settlement processingtarget to be printed as a receipt by printer module 4 (S8). Accordingly,the process of settlement terminal device 1 ends. A unit in which CPU 21performs a series of processes regarding the settlement processillustrated in FIG. 3 according to a program of the settlementprocessing application stored in flash ROM 32 corresponds to thesettlement processing unit of the transaction terminal device accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a determination procedure fordetermining whether a predetermined input operation is performed toindicate that the customer has confirmed the input content for thetransaction content in step S6 illustrated in FIG. 3. Each process ofthe flowchart illustrated in FIG. 4 is performed, for example, in stepS6 illustrated in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 4, CPU 21 detects the input operation (touch input) of theoperator in touch input detection unit 3C of touch panel 3D (S11). CPU21 determines whether the touch input detected by touch input detectionunit 3C is an input operation with respect to predetermined importantkey input reception icon 61 (see FIG. 5) as an example of a specifictarget in the input screen for the transaction content, which is asettlement process settlement processing target application (S12). Here,a coordinate of important key input reception icon 61 in the inputscreen for the transaction content that is a settlement processingtarget of the settlement processing application is registered in flashROM 32 in advance by a time point when important key input receptionicon 61 is displayed. CPU 21 determines whether there is a touch inputwith respect to important key input reception icon 61 by matching thecoordinate of the important key input reception icon 61 with a touchinput position (coordinate).

When it is determined that the input is a touch input with respect toimportant key input reception icon 61 (YES in S12), CPU 21 determineswhether a predetermined input operation with respect to important keyinput reception icon 61 has been performed (S13). The predeterminedinput operation includes, for example, a selecting operation forimportant key input reception icon 61 illustrated in FIG. 5, a movingoperation for important key input reception icon 61 during the selectingoperation, and a deselecting operation for important key input receptionicon 61 after the moving operation. More specifically, the predeterminedinput operation is a drag and drop operation, and is an operation ofselecting important key input reception icon 61, dragging (moving)important key input reception icon 61 to either YES icon 63 or NO icon65, and dropping (deselecting) important key input reception icon 61 inthe position.

When, for example, the drag and drop operation of the important keyinput reception icon 61 to YES icon 63 is performed (YES in S13) as apredetermined input operation with respect to important key inputreception icon 61, CPU 21 determines that the predetermined inputoperation (input confirmation) with respect to important key inputreception icon 61 is performed (input reception; S14). Accordingly, theprocess of CPU 21 illustrated in FIG. 4 ends. Further, even when, forexample, the drag and drop operation of important key input receptionicon 61 to NO icon 65 is performed as the predetermined input operationwith respect to important key input reception icon 61 (YES in S13), CPU21 determines that a predetermined input operation (negative) withrespect to the important key input reception icon 61 is performed (inputreception; S14). Accordingly, the process of CPU 21 illustrated in FIG.4 ends.

On the other hand, when the predetermined input operation with respectto the important key input reception icon 61 is not performed or whenthe operation of dragging and dropping important key input receptionicon 61 to YES icon 63 over a predetermined time is not performed (NO inS13), CPU 21 maintains a state of the touch operation input in step S11(S15), and the process of CPU 21 returns to step S11.

Further, when it is not determined that the touch input detected bytouch input detection unit 3C is a touch input with respect to importantkey input reception icon 61 (NO in S12), CPU 21 determines that theinput operation is performed (input reception, S14) if the touch inputdetected by touch input detection unit 3C is a key (that is, a key otherthan the important key) (YES in S16), and the process of CPU 21 returnsto step S11 if the touch input is not a key (NO in S16). A process inwhich CPU 21 determines the input operation illustrated in FIG. 4according to the program stored in flash ROM 32 corresponds to an inputoperation determination unit of the transaction terminal deviceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on touch panel 3Dmounted on settlement terminal device 1. An input screen of transactioncontent that is a settlement processing target in the settlementprocessing application is displayed on display unit 3B of touch panel3D, and various pieces of information 51 regarding the settlementprocess are displayed in this input screen. Various pieces ofinformation 51 regarding the settlement process, for example, an amountof settlement money, a payment method, a card brand of a magnetic creditcard, and a transaction content confirmation item are displayed.

Specifically, information of “Amount of money 12,345 Yen,” “Paymentone-time payment,” “Brand ***” (*** is a brand name of the credit card),” and “Is it OK (Y/N)” is displayed. Touch input detection unit 3C candetect a touch input of the operator with respect to input areas 51 a,51 b, 51 c, and 51 d corresponding to display positions of therespective pieces of information in the input screen for the transactioncontent illustrated in FIG. 5. Among the input areas 51 a, 51 b, 51 c,and 51 d, for example, the input area 51 d is displayed so as to confirmthe input content of the transaction content and corresponds to animportant key (specific target) having an important meaning in the inputscreen for the transaction content.

Further, numeral keypad 53 is displayed as an example of the softwarekeyboard under the information 51 regarding the settlement process.Further, important key input reception icon 61, YES icon 63, and NO icon65 provided for CPU 21 to determine that a predetermined input operationwith respect to the important key is performed are displayed undernumeral keypad 53. In this exemplary embodiment, the important key isnot limited to confirmation item (that is, “Y/N”) of the input contentof the transaction content displayed to correspond to input area 51 dillustrated in FIG. 5, and may be, for example, the sales registrationkey or the confirmation completion key described above.

Content displayed in input areas 51 a, 51 b, 51 c, and 51 d displayed ondisplay unit 3B of touch panel 3D can be changed when a touch input isperformed with respect to any corresponding input area. For example, theamount of sales money is changed when input area 51 a indicating anamount of money is tapped and then numeral keypad 53 is touched.Further, when input area 51 a is an important key and the amount ofsales money is to be confirmed, the operator taps and selects input area51 a and then drags and drops important key input reception icon 61 to aposition of YES icon 63. Accordingly, the amount of sales money (amountof settlement money) is determined.

Further, input area 51 d of “Is it OK? (Y/N)” for finally confirmingvarious pieces of information 51 regarding the settlement process isdescribed as the important key in this exemplary embodiment. Theoperator drags and drops important key input reception icon 61 to theposition of YES icon 63 in a state in which “Is it OK? (Y/N)” isdisplayed or after the operator taps and selects this important key (seeFIG. 5). Thus, the input confirmation of the transaction content isperformed by the operator. On the other hand, when the operator dragsand drops important key input reception icon 61 to a position of NO icon65, the input confirmation of the transaction content is denied, andthus, changing the input item is performed.

Accordingly, when any one of various screens regarding the settlementprocess performed between settlement terminal device 1 of this exemplaryembodiment and the settlement destination device is displayed on touchpanel 3D, settlement terminal device 1 of this exemplary embodimentdetects the input operation with respect to a specific target (forexample, important key input reception icon 61) in the screen,determines whether the input operation with respect to important keyinput reception icon 61 is a predetermined input operation, and executesa process according to the predetermined input operation (for example, arequest for a settlement process with the settlement destination deviceafter the input confirmation of transaction content) when the inputoperation with respect to important key input reception icon 61 is thepredetermined input operation.

Accordingly, when an operation having an important meaning in thetransaction in the screen displayed on touch panel 3D, for example, theinput operation with respect to important key input reception icon 61displayed on the screen is the predetermined input operation, settlementterminal device 1 executes the process according to the predeterminedinput operation, and thus, it is possible to facilitate the operatorbeing definitely conscious of execution of the input operation having animportant meaning in the transaction (that is, execution of the inputoperation with respect to the important key input reception icon 61 ofthe screen displayed on touch panel 3D), and to suppress induction of anerroneous operation of the software key (important key) having animportant meaning in the transaction.

Further, since settlement terminal device 1 causes touch panel 3D todisplay predetermined important key input reception icon 61 in thescreen regarding the settlement process, it is possible to cause theoperator to be definitely conscious of the predetermined input operationwith respect to important key input reception icon 61 being alwaysnecessary when the input operation with respect to the important key isperformed in the screen displayed on touch panel 3D.

Further, when the drag and drop operation with respect to important keyinput reception icon 61 is performed in the screen displayed on touchpanel 3D, settlement terminal device 1 executes the settlement processfor the important key, and thus, it is possible to simply suppress anerroneous operation of the operator in comparison with the drag and dropoperation being an operation frequently used in, for example, ageneral-purpose PC (Personal Computer) or the like.

In the first exemplary embodiment described above, in order for theoperator to be made conscious of the input operation with respect to theimportant key, important key input reception icon 61 is dragged anddropped, but the predetermined input operation with respect to theimportant key input reception icon 61 is not limited to this drag anddrop operation.

For example, when important key input reception icon 61 is long pressedover a predetermined time, and then, a selecting operation (for example,a double tapping operation) is performed one or more times in the screendisplayed on touch panel 3D, settlement terminal device 1 executes thesettlement process for the important key, similarly to the case in whichthe drag and drop operation with respect to important key inputreception icon 61 is performed. Accordingly, since settlement terminaldevice 1 does not have to move important key input reception icon 61 onthe screen unlike in the drag and drop operation, and an operation rangeof an instruction medium for touch panel 3D on the screen (for example,a finger of the operator or a stylus pen) may be narrow, the operatorcan operate a predetermined input operation more easily. The same can beimplemented even when long pressing is performed after the one or moreselecting operations.

Process of Reaching Content of the Second Exemplary Embodiment

First, a process of reaching content of settlement terminal device 1 ofthe second exemplary embodiment will be described prior to describingthe second exemplary embodiment.

When the operator does not perform any input operation for apredetermined time (for example, one minute), the transaction terminaldevice in the related art including Japanese Patent UnexaminedPublication No. 2011-48486 described above transitions to the sleep mode(that is, a mode in which the power supply of the display unit of thetouch panel is temporarily turned off), for example, so as to achievescreen burn-in prevention and power savings in a PC.

However, since the settlement process may take much time, the transitionto the sleep mode stops the settlement process midway. A case in whichthe settlement process takes much time may include, for example, a casein which a network environment is not good between the settlementterminal device and a settlement center and a communication processneeds time. Further, if a number of settlement terminal devices areconnected to the settlement center, a response of the settlement processmay not be obtained from the settlement destination device even when thesettlement terminal device transmits a request of the settlement process(for example, credit inquiry). Further, when the settlement terminaldevice is configured as a thin client, an amount of data transmissionflowing through a network between the settlement terminal device and thesettlement destination device greatly increases in comparison with aconventional rich client.

Therefore, once the settlement process stops, an operation of returningfrom the sleep mode should be necessarily performed so as to restart thesettlement process. A returning process may often require time and acustomer may wait.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Therefore, an example of the transaction terminal device in which thetransition to the sleep mode is prevented and the settlement process forthe transaction content is rapidly completed even when a state in whichthere is no input operation from the operator lasts over a predeterminedtime or more in a case in which at least the screen regarding thesettlement process is displayed will be described in the secondexemplary embodiment.

Since an appearance of settlement terminal device 1 of the secondexemplary embodiment is the same as the appearance of the settlementterminal device of the first exemplary embodiment described above (seeFIG. 1), the same reference signs are used and description thereof willbe omitted. Further, since a hardware configuration of settlementterminal device 1 in the second exemplary embodiment is the same as thatof the settlement terminal device of the first exemplary embodimentdescribed above (see FIG. 2), the same reference signs are used anddescription thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, a different operationfrom that of the first exemplary embodiment described above, and anoperation regarding control of the transition to the sleep mode will bedescribed.

When any screen is displayed on touch panel 3D, settlement terminaldevice 1 of this exemplary embodiment detects the input operation withrespect to the screen, but when the input operation is not detected overa certain time or more in the screen, settlement terminal device 1causes touch panel 3D to transition to the sleep mode, similarly to thefirst exemplary embodiment. In the sleep mode, display unit 3B of touchpanel 3D turns off the screen, and touch input detection unit 3C doesnot detect the input operation. In the sleep mode, touch input detectionunit 3C may detect the input operation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a settlement processing procedure ofsettlement terminal device 1 of the second exemplary embodiment. Sinceeach process of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 6 is the same as eachprocess of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 3 in the first exemplaryembodiment described above, concrete description of each process will beomitted.

However, since each process illustrated in FIG. 6 is a process regardingthe settlement process, settlement terminal device 1 of this exemplaryembodiment does not cause display unit 3B of touch panel 3D totransition to the sleep mode even when the input operation with respectto the screen of display unit 3B of touch panel 3D is not detected. Morespecifically, settlement terminal device 1 does not cause display unit3B of touch panel 3D to transition to the sleep mode during a periodindicated by arrow fin FIG. 6 (that is, between a scan prompt displayprocess of prompting to read the magnetic credit card in step S1 and aprocess of displaying the result of confirming the transaction contentthat is a settlement processing target in step S7). In the receiptprinting process of step S8, settlement terminal device 1 may causedisplay unit 3B of touch panel 3D to transition to the sleep mode.

Particularly, in each process of steps S6 and S7 in which communicationis performed with the settlement destination device, settlement terminaldevice 1 omits the transition of display unit 3B of touch panel 3D tothe sleep mode. Further, in each process of steps S1 to S5, a case inwhich the input operation of the operator takes time is also assumed.The case includes, for example, a case in which a clerk leaves his orher seat to confirm goods or a case in which a customer no longer staysin situ due to a sudden errand.

Thus, when it is considered that the operation of the operator isassumed to take time, settlement terminal device 1 may cause displayunit 3B of touch panel 3D to transition to the sleep mode in eachprocess of steps S1 to S5.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a sleep mode transition processingprocedure of settlement terminal device 1 of the second exemplaryembodiment.

In FIG. 7, CPU 21 determines whether an input operation with respect totouch panel 3D is not performed by the operator and there is nooperation based on a signal from touch input detection unit 3Cindicating whether the input operation has been detected or not (S21).For example, when any input operation rather than no operation isdetected (NO in S21), CPU 21 sets a count value (timer value) of timer21A to 0 (S22). Then, the process of CPU 21 returns to step S21.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no operation (YESin S21), CPU 21 determines whether timer 21A reaches a predeterminedtime (for example, one minute) or more (S23).

When the predetermined time does not lapse (NO in S23), the process ofCPU 21 returns to step S21.

On the other hand, when the predetermined time lapses (YES in S23), CPU21 determines whether a settlement process is currently being performed(S24). For example, the settlement process refers to a case in which theapplication for a settlement process described above starts up and isexecuting the process of any one of steps S1 to S7 illustrated in FIG.6.

When the settlement process is being performed (YES in S24), CPU 21omits the transition of display unit 3B of touch panel 3D to the sleepmode, and causes display (for example, see FIG. 8A) of the screenregarding the settlement process displayed on display unit 3B to becontinued (S25). The process of CPU 21 then returns to step S21.

On the other hand, when the settlement process is not being processed(NO in S24), CPU 21 causes display unit 3B of touch panel 3D totransition to the sleep mode and turns off display unit 3B (see FIG. 8B)to darken the screen (S26). The process of CPU 21 then returns to stepS21. Further, the process in which CPU 21 controls the transition to thesleep mode illustrated in FIG. 7 according to the program stored inflash ROM 32 corresponds to a sleep mode control unit of the transactionterminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a screen regarding the settlementprocess. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating the screen of display unit 3Bwhen display unit 3B transitions to the sleep mode. Input reception iconMK1, YES icon MK2, and NO icon MK3 in FIG. 8A correspond to importantkey input reception icon 61, YES icon 63, and NO icon 65 illustrated inFIG. 5 of the first exemplary embodiment, respectively. In FIG. 8B, thescreen is caused to be a white background to indicate turn-off ofdisplay unit 3B.

As described above, when any screen is displayed on touch panel 3D,settlement terminal device 1 of this exemplary embodiment detects theinput operation with respect to the screen. However, when the inputoperation is not detected over a certain time or more in the screen,settlement terminal device 1 causes touch panel 3D to transition to thesleep mode. Further, when at least a screen regarding the settlementprocess performed between settlement terminal device 1 and thesettlement destination device is being displayed on display unit 3B oftouch panel 3D, settlement terminal device 1 omits the transition oftouch panel 3D to the sleep mode and continues to display contentdisplayed on display unit 3B of touch panel 3D even when the inputoperation with respect to the screen is not detected over apredetermined time or more.

Accordingly, when at least a screen regarding the settlement processperformed between settlement terminal device 1 and the settlementdestination device is being displayed on display unit 3B of touch panel3D, settlement terminal device 1 can prevent the transition of touchpanel 3D to the sleep mode even when a state in which there is no inputoperation from the operator lasts over a predetermined time or more.Therefore, since the settlement process is not temporarily interruptedand an input operation for return from the sleep mode is not necessary,the settlement process for the transaction content can be rapidlycompleted.

Further, when settlement terminal device 1 is performing communicationof the settlement process for the transaction content (for example,credit inquiry or sales registration) with the settlement destinationdevice, settlement terminal device 1 does not transition to the sleepmode of display unit 3B of touch panel 3D and continues to displaycontent displayed on display unit 3B of touch panel 3D. Accordingly, itis possible to prevent interruption of communication with the settlementdestination device and reliably complete the settlement process with thesettlement destination device.

Process of Reaching Content of the Third Exemplary Embodiment

First, a process of reaching content of settlement terminal device 1 ofthe third exemplary embodiment will be described prior to describing thethird exemplary embodiment.

In the transaction terminal device in the related art including JapanesePatent Unexamined Publication No. 2011-48486 described above, if a nextinput operation is not detected even when a predetermined time (forexample, one minute) lapses after the input operation of the operator isdetected, the screen is caused to transition to the sleep mode so as toachieve screen burn-in prevention and power savings. Further, when thetransaction terminal device detects any input operation of the operatorin the sleep mode, the transaction terminal device releases the sleepmode of the screen and displays a screen displayed immediately beforethe transition to the sleep mode.

However, in the transaction terminal device in the related art, when anyinput operation not intended by the operator is detected and then thetransaction terminal device transitions to the sleep mode (for example,when the operator inadvertently contacts the touch panel or performs anoperation recognized as incorrect input (so-called erroneous operation)and then the transaction terminal device transitions to the sleep modedue to no operation of the operator for a certain time or more), thefollowing situation is assumed. That is, when the operator performs anyinput operation with respect to the transaction terminal device that hasnot transitioned to the sleep mode, the transaction terminal device maydisplay a user-unintended screen when the sleep mode is released.

As a result, there are problems in that the operator is confused due todisplay of the unintended screen, and should spend considerable time andeffort before starting an originally intended input operation.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

Therefore, an example of a transaction terminal device in which displayof an operator-unintended screen immediately after the sleep mode of thetransaction terminal device is released is suppressed and convenience ofthe input operation with respect to the operator is improved will bedescribed in the third exemplary embodiment.

Since an appearance of settlement terminal device 1 of the thirdexemplary embodiment is the same as the appearance of the settlementterminal device of the first exemplary embodiment described above (seeFIG. 1), the same reference signs are used and description thereof willbe omitted.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram concretely illustrating an example of ahardware configuration of settlement terminal device 1 of the thirdexemplary embodiment. Further, in the hardware configuration ofsettlement terminal device 1, the same components as those of settlementterminal device 1 of the first exemplary embodiment are denoted with thesame reference signs and description thereof will be omitted.

CPU 21 further includes use frequency counter 21B that counts the numberof times of display (display frequency; use frequency) of a screen (forexample, a menu screen) displayed on display unit 3B, in addition totimer 21A described in the first exemplary embodiment.

For a plurality of menu screens to which a predetermined hierarchicalrelationship (hierarchical structure; see FIG. 10, for example) isassigned, use frequency counter 21B counts the number of times ofdisplay of each menu screen on display unit 3B of touch panel 3D. Forexample, when CPU 21 reads the menu screen corresponding to content ofvarious applications registered in flash ROM 32 in advance and causesthe menu screen to be displayed on the display unit 3B of touch panel3D, use frequency counter 21B increases (increments) a value of thenumber of times of display of the menu screen by “1”. Further, it ispreferable that, when use frequency counter 21B increments the number oftimes of display, CPU 21 stores date and time information from timer 21Atogether in use frequency counter 21B.

As described below, the menu screen having a high use frequency (ofwhich the number of times of display is great) is selected as a returndestination (that is, a screen to be displayed on display unit 3B oftouch panel 3D) when the menu screen assigned to a lower layer than alayer corresponding to the menu screen is released from the sleep mode.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical structure of aplurality of menu screens displayed on display unit 3B. Data indicatingthe plurality of menu screens and the hierarchical structure thereof isstored in flash ROM 32 in advance. In the hierarchical structureillustrated in FIG. 10, for example, menu screens (hereinafter, uppermenu screens) belonging to an upper menu screen group are assigned tothe left side from a boundary line of partition line b, and menu screens(hereinafter, lower menu screens) belonging to a lower menu screen groupare assigned to the right side from the boundary line of partition lineb. Further, in FIG. 10, for example, the lower menu screen is developedfrom the upper menu screen.

In FIG. 10, for example, respective menu screens of a root menu,maintenance, and shut down are assigned as top screens. Menu screenssuch as card settlement, business, and general purpose are assigned(developed) as lower menu screens than the menu screen of the root menu.

Further, respective menu screens of credit card settlement, debit cardsettlement, electronic money prepaid settlement, and electronic moneypost-pay settlement are assigned as lower menu screens than the menuscreen of the card settlement.

Further, respective menu screens of magnetic card settlement and IC cardsettlement are assigned as lower menu screens than the menu screen ofthe credit card settlement.

Further, respective menu screens of scan prompt, brand selection, moneyamount input, payment method and number input, PAD signature input,settlement request transmission, settlement result display, and receiptprint are assigned as lower menu screens than the menu screen of themagnetic card settlement. Similarly, respective menu screens of scanprompt, brand selection, money amount input, payment method and numberinput, PIN input, settlement request transmission, settlement resultdisplay, and receipt print are assigned as lower menu screens than themenu screen of the IC card settlement.

Meanwhile, respective menu screens of sales management and sales reportare assigned as lower menu screens than the menu screen of business.Similarly, respective menu screens of an E-mail and a net browser areassigned as lower menu screens than the menu screen of general purpose.Further, meanwhile, respective menu screens of software versionmanagement and user management are assigned as lower menu screens thanthe menu screen of the maintenance.

In this exemplary embodiment, when return is performed (that is, thesleep mode is released) after transition to the sleep mode in the menuscreen (that is, the upper menu screen) on the left side from partitionline b illustrated in FIG. 10, a return destination becomes apredetermined screen (that is, the upper menu screen (see descriptionbelow)).

On the other hand, when return is performed after transition to thesleep mode in the menu screen (that is, the lower menu screen) on theright side from partition line b illustrated in FIG. 10, a returndestination becomes a menu screen displayed on display unit 3B of touchpanel 3D immediately before the transition to the sleep mode.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a settlement processing procedure ofsettlement terminal device 1 of the third exemplary embodiment. Sinceeach process of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 11 is the same as eachprocess of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 3 in the first exemplaryembodiment described above, concrete description of each process will beomitted.

In settlement terminal device 1 of the third exemplary embodiment, CPU21 causes display unit 3B of touch panel 3D to transition to the sleepmode during a period indicated by arrow g of FIG. 11 (that is, between ascan prompt display process of prompting to read the magnetic creditcard in step S1 and a process of printing the confirmation result ofvarious input matters of the transaction content as a receipt in stepS8), unlike the second exemplary embodiment described above. However, inthe period indicated by this arrow g, the screen displayed immediatelybefore the transition to the sleep mode is displayed as the returndestination screen at the time of returning from the sleep mode.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart describing a return processing procedure from thesleep mode of settlement terminal device 1 in the third exemplaryembodiment. The return process illustrated in FIG. 12 is executed whenan event of any input operation (for example, a key operation) of theoperator with respect to settlement terminal device 1 occurs. The eventof the input operation includes power switch 3E pressing interrupt,touch detection interrupt for touch input detection unit 3C, or thelike. The occurrence of the event may be recognized by polling.

In FIG. 12, CPU 21 determines a type of (hereinafter, includingclassification or layer) of the screen (immediately previous screen)displayed on display unit 3B of touch panel 3D immediately before thetransition to the sleep mode (S31). For example, information of theimmediately previous screen becomes able to be recognized by CPU 21checking the type of the screen loaded on latest date and time, which isheld in use frequency counter 21B.

CPU 21 identifies whether the immediately previous screen is the uppermenu screen (that is, the left menu screen) than partition line billustrated in FIG. 10 or the lower menu screen (that is, right menuscreen) (S32).

When the immediately previous screen is the lower menu screen thanpartition line b illustrated in FIG. 10 (NO in S32), CPU 21 causes thedisplay of the immediately previous screen to be continued on displayunit 3B of touch panel 3D (S33). For example, since all menu screenscorresponding to concrete processing content regarding the settlementprocess are the lower screens than partition line b illustrated in FIG.10, settlement terminal device 1 causes the immediately previous screento be displayed as it is at the time of returning from the sleep mode.

On the other hand, when the immediately previous screen is the uppermenu screen than partition line b illustrated in FIG. 10 (YES in S32),CPU 21 causes the upper menu screen than the immediately previous screento be displayed as a predetermined screen on display unit 3B of touchpanel 3D (S34). After the process of step S33 or S34, the process of CPU21 ends. Thus, CPU 21 determines whether the menu screen is to beswitched in display unit 3B of touch panel 3D after the sleep mode isreleased based on a type of screen (menu screen) displayed immediatelybefore transition to the sleep mode.

FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating the menu screen displayed immediatelybefore the transition to the sleep mode. FIG. 13B is a diagramillustrating the upper menu screen displayed at the time of return fromthe sleep mode in the menu screen of FIG. 13A. FIG. 13C is a diagramillustrating the menu screen displayed immediately before the transitionto the sleep mode. FIG. 13D is a diagram illustrating the menu screen asan immediately previous screen displayed at the time of return from thesleep mode in the menu screen of FIG. 13C. In other words, the menuscreen illustrated in FIG. 13C is the same as the menu screenillustrated in FIG. 13D.

Thus, in the third exemplary embodiment, when any one menu screenregarding the settlement process is displayed on display unit 3B oftouch panel 3D, settlement terminal device 1 detects the input operationwith respect to the menu screen. However, when no input operation isdetected in the menu screen over certain time or more, settlementterminal device 1 causes display unit 3B of touch panel 3D to transitionto the sleep mode. Further, when the input operation is detected aftertransition to the sleep mode, and thus, when the sleep mode is released,settlement terminal device 1 determines whether the menu screen to bedisplayed on display unit 3B of touch panel 3D is to be switched basedon a type of menu screen displayed on display unit 3B of touch panel 3Dimmediately before the transition to the sleep mode.

Accordingly, since settlement terminal device 1 switches the menu screenafter release of the sleep mode, based on a type (classification) ofmenu screen displayed immediately before transition to the sleep mode,when the sleep mode of display unit 3B of touch panel 3D is released, byconsidering that a type of menu screen displayed immediately beforetransition to the sleep mode depends on an input operation performed bythe operator under a determination or consciousness of the operator, itis possible to suppress displaying of the menu screen not intended bythe operator, and also to improve convenience of the input operation forthe operator.

Further, when the menu screen displayed on display unit 3B of touchpanel 3D immediately before the transition to the sleep mode is a menuscreen assigned to an upper layer than a predetermined layer defined ina predetermined hierarchical relationship, settlement terminal device 1switches the menu screen displayed on display unit 3B of touch panel 3Dimmediately before the transition to the sleep mode to a predeterminedscreen and displays the predetermined screen on display unit 3B of touchpanel 3D. Accordingly, when the menu screen assigned to the upper layerthan the predetermined layer is displayed immediately before thetransition to the sleep mode, settlement terminal device 1 switches amenu screen to be displayed on display unit 3B of touch panel 3D afterthe sleep mode is released, to the predetermined screen, for example, byconsidering that the operator is highly likely to select or seek anyconcretely intended process. Thus, it is possible to simply select theprocess desired by the operator.

Further, when the menu screen displayed on display unit 3B of touchpanel 3D immediately before the transition to the sleep mode is a menuscreen assigned to a lower layer than a predetermined layer, settlementterminal device 1 continues to display the menu screen displayed ondisplay unit 3B of touch panel 3D immediately before the transition tothe sleep mode. Accordingly, when the menu screen assigned to the lowerlayer than the predetermined layer is displayed immediately before thetransition to the sleep mode, settlement terminal device 1 continues todisplay the menu screen displayed immediately before the transition tothe sleep mode as it is, as a menu screen to be displayed on displayunit 3B of touch panel 3D after the sleep mode is released, for example,by considering that the operator is highly likely to concretely intendto execute any process. Thus, it is possible to rapidly execute theprocess desired by the operator.

In this exemplary embodiment, in the menu screen on the left side frompartition line b illustrated in FIG. 10, a return destination at thetime of returning from the sleep mode is the upper screen as apredetermined screen, but may be a return destination shown next. Forexample, a top menu screen (that is, a card settlement menu screen) inthe settlement process may be the return destination. Accordingly, sincethe predetermined screen is a screen assigned to an upper layer than alayer corresponding to the screen displayed on the touch panelimmediately before transition to the sleep mode among the plurality ofscreens regarding the settlement process, settlement terminal device 1can simply select the process or the screen desired by the operator asthe screen to be displayed on display unit 3B of touch panel 3D afterthe sleep mode is released.

Further, a specific menu screen designated by a manager or the like ofthe acquirer or the settlement processor may be the return destination.Accordingly, since the predetermined screen is a screen assigned to anyone layer in a predetermined hierarchical relationship designatedaccording to predetermined input operations of the manager or the likeof the acquirer or the settlement processor in advance, settlementterminal device 1 displays a screen assigned to the layer according tothe predetermined input operation (for example, an instruction from theacquirer or the settlement processor) as a screen to be displayed ondisplay unit 3B of touch panel 3D after the sleep mode is released, andthus, it is possible to improve convenience for the operation of theoperator by displaying a menu that is a start point when the operationof the operator is unskilled or difficult.

Further, a screen of which the use frequency counted by use frequencycounter 21B is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (that is,a screen with a high use frequency) among the plurality of menu screensheld in flash ROM 32 may be the return destination. Accordingly, sincethe predetermined screen is a screen regarding the settlement processand is a screen of which the display frequency in display unit 3B oftouch panel 3D is equal to or more than a predetermined value and thatis assigned to an upper layer than the predetermined layer, settlementterminal device 1 displays the process or the menu frequently used bythe operator as a menu screen to be displayed on display unit 3B oftouch panel 3D after the sleep mode is released, and thus, it ispossible to give a sense of security at the time of an operation of theoperator, and to improve convenience. When there are a plurality ofscreens having a high use frequency, settlement terminal device 1 maydetermine, for example, an upper screen than the immediately previousscreen to the return destination.

Process of Reaching Content of the Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

First, a process of reaching content of settlement terminal device 1 ofthe fourth exemplary embodiment will be described prior to describingthe fourth exemplary embodiment.

In the small settlement terminal in Japanese Patent UnexaminedPublication No. 2011-48486, the information display area and theinformation input area are set in the display area of the touch paneltype display unit, and the numeral keypad image pattern is displayed inthe information input area so that an input operation with respect tothe numeral keypad image pattern can be performed. Further, this smallsettlement terminal includes the printer, prints information such as aresult of the settlement process on a rolled paper built into theterminal in advance, and discharges a receipt on which printing contenthas been printed from a sheet discharge outlet. In this small settlementterminal, power from an external commercial power supply (for example,AC 100 V) is supplied through an AC adapter accommodated in the housing.

However, in the configuration of Japanese Patent Unexamined PublicationNo. 2011-48486, when a printer is operating, much power is consumed dueto power of a paper feed mechanism of the small settlement terminal ordriving of a printing head for printing on the printing paper.Therefore, when the printer is operating (that is, the printer isprinting), much power is consumed inside the small settlement terminal,and accordingly, an internal temperature of the small settlementterminal suddenly rises. Accordingly, when the internal temperature ofthe small settlement terminal rises, electronic parts or the likemounted on an internal circuit board are likely to malfunction ordeteriorate. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress power consumption ofthe small settlement terminal, and suppress a total amount of currentflowing into an AC adapter. Further, it is necessary to use parts with alarge volume and weight capable of supplying high power and high currentfor the AC adapter, and it is necessary to downsize the AC adapter whenthe AC adapter is installed in a store where a wide installation spaceis not secured.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

Therefore, an example of a transaction terminal device in which somefunctions or processes are temporarily suppressed or stopped when aprinter is operating, to thereby reduce a total amount of currentflowing into the power supply unit accommodated inside the housing andsuppress power consumption will be described in the fourth exemplaryembodiment.

Since an appearance of settlement terminal device 1 of the fourthexemplary embodiment is the same as the appearance of the settlementterminal device of the first exemplary embodiment described above (seeFIG. 1), the same reference signs are used and description thereof willbe omitted.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram concretely illustrating an example of ahardware configuration of settlement terminal device 1 of the fourthexemplary embodiment. Further, in the hardware configuration ofsettlement terminal device 1, the same components as those of settlementterminal device 1 of the first exemplary embodiment are denoted with thesame reference signs and description thereof will be omitted.

Settlement terminal device 1 illustrated in FIG. 14 further includesbacklight 46 as an example of an illumination unit that turns on andilluminates display unit 3B that displays the screen regarding thesettlement process, and a backlight control unit 47 that performsvarious controls such as turn-on, dimming (weakening), and turn-off ofbacklight 46, in addition to the configuration of settlement terminaldevice 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. Backlight control unit 47 is connectedto CPU 21.

Backlight control unit 47 performs various controls such as turning on,dimming, or turning off of backlight 46 in response to an instructionfrom CPU 21. For example, backlight control unit 47 performs turning offor dimming of backlight 46 by turning off backlight 46 or graduallydimming backlight 46. Further, backlight control unit 47 may have adimming function of continuously changing an amount of emitted light ofbacklight 46.

Further, settlement terminal device 1 illustrated in FIG. 14 includespower supply unit 48 for supplying power as a power source to each unitincluded in information processing unit 20. This power supply unit 48 isaccommodated in a housing of settlement terminal device 1, and can berealized using, for example, an AC adapter having relatively smallcapacity.

Since a flow of the settlement process in settlement terminal device 1of this exemplary embodiment is the same as the operation procedure insettlement terminal device 1 of the first exemplary embodiment describedabove (see FIG. 3), description thereof will be omitted and a differentoperation will be hereinafter described.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a receipt printing operationprocedure in step S8 illustrated in FIG. 3 in settlement terminal device1 of the fourth exemplary embodiment.

In FIG. 15, CPU 21 starts a process of printing the result of confirmingthe transaction content that is a settlement processing target as areceipt (S41). CPU 21, for example, starts printing in step S41 andgives an instruction to backlight control unit 47 to cause turn off ordim backlight 46 (S42). From the point of view of suppression of powerconsumption, it is preferable for CPU 21 to turn off backlight 46. Anoperation of turning off or dimming this backlight 46 is performedbefore a printing operation actually starts after the printing processstarts in step S41, or after the printing operation starts. From thepoint of view of suppression of power consumption, it is preferable turnoff or dim the backlight before an operation of a printing head or amotor (both not illustrated) of printer module 4 or a printing operationsuch as a process of transferring print data from printer I/F 41 toprinter module 4 is started.

CPU 21 determines whether printing ends (S43). When the printing doesnot end (NO in S43), the process of CPU 21 returns to step S42.

On the other hand, when the printing ends (YES in S43), CPU 21 gives aninstruction to backlight control unit 47 to turn on backlight 46 thathas been turned off dimmed (S44). Then, the process of CPU 21 returns toa time point of the process of step S8 illustrated in FIG. 3. That is,the operation of settlement terminal device 1 ends.

CPU 21 may start printing in step S41 and also perform turn-off/dimmingcontrol of backlight 46 in step S42 to perform a process of stoppingtouch panel 3D (that is, the process of detecting an input operation ofa screen UI (User Interface) and a process of displaying a screen or thelike such as graphics processing or driving of a liquid crystal displayplate driver) (S42A). In other words, CPU 21 stops the detection of thetouch input operation using touch input detection unit 3C or stopsdisplay of the screen (for example, the screen regarding the settlementprocess) using display unit 3B in the process of stopping the screen UI(that is, a process of stopping touch panel 3D). Then, the process ofCPU 21 proceeds to step S43.

Further, when printing ends in step S43, CPU 21 turns on backlight 46 instep S44 and performs a process of releasing stop of a screen UI (touchpanel 3D) (S44A). Then, the process of CPU 21 ends, and the processreturns to a time point of the process of step S8 illustrated in FIG. 3.That is, the operation of settlement terminal device 1 ends.

Thus, settlement terminal device 1 of the fourth exemplary embodiment,for example, dims or turns off backlight 46 that illuminates displayunit 3B of touch panel 3D, which displays the screen regarding thesettlement process, while information regarding the settlement processis being printed in printer module 4.

Accordingly, since settlement terminal device 1 temporarily dims(suppresses) or turns off (stops), preferentially, backlight 46, whichcontrols an illumination for display unit 3B of touch panel 3D, as somefunctions or processes while printer module 4 is operating, it ispossible to reduce a total amount of current flowing into power supplyunit 48 (for example, an AC adapter) accommodated inside the housing ofsettlement terminal device 1 and to suppress power consumption insettlement terminal device 1.

Further, since settlement terminal device 1 turns on backlight 46 thathas been dimmed or turned off after printing of the informationregarding the settlement process using printer module 4 has ended, it ispossible to further suppress an increase in the total amount of currentflowing into power supply unit 48 accommodated inside the housing ofsettlement terminal device 1 even when turn-on of backlight 46 iscontinued in a period other than a printing period in which powerconsumption increases.

Further, since settlement terminal device 1 temporarily stops thefunction of touch panel 3D, including touch input detection unit 3C fordetecting the input operation with respect to the screen regarding thesettlement process, in addition to preferential dimming or turn-off ofbacklight 46 while the information regarding the settlement process isbeing printed by printer module 4, it is possible to further suppress anincrease in the total amount of current flowing into power supply unit48 accommodated inside the housing of settlement terminal device 1.

Further, since settlement terminal device 1 releases stop of thedetection of the input operation in touch input detection unit 3C oftouch panel 3D after printing of the information regarding thesettlement process using printer module 4 ends, it is possible tosuppress an increase in the total amount of current flowing into powersupply unit 48 accommodated inside the housing of settlement terminaldevice 1 even when the detection process of the input operation iscontinued in addition to turn-on of backlight 46 in a period other thana printing period in which power consumption increases.

Further, since settlement terminal device 1 temporarily stops a processof power supply to display unit 3B of touch panel 3D, in addition todimming or turn-off of backlight 46, while the information regarding thesettlement process is being printed using printer module 4, it ispossible to further suppress an increase in the total amount of currentflowing into power supply unit 48 accommodated inside the housing ofsettlement terminal device 1.

Further, since settlement terminal device 1 releases stop of the powersupply to display unit 3B of touch panel 3D after printing of theinformation regarding the settlement process using printer module 4ends, it is possible to suppress an increase in the total amount ofcurrent flowing into power supply unit 48 accommodated inside thehousing of settlement terminal device 1 even when power supply todisplay unit 3B of touch panel 3D is continued, in addition to turn-onof backlight 46, in a period other than a printing period in which powerconsumption increases.

While various exemplary embodiments have been described above withreference to the drawings, it is understood that the present disclosureis not limited to such exemplary embodiments. It is apparent thatvarious change examples or modification examples can be derived in thecategory defined in claims by those skilled in the art, and it isunderstood that these belong to the technical scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A transaction terminal device, comprising: atouch panel configured to display various screens, at least one screenincluding one or more software keys configured to affect a card-paymentbased sales transaction when selected; an input operation detectorconfigured to detect an input operation with respect to the one or moresoftware keys in the screen displayed on the touch panel; a modecontroller configured to cause a display of the touch panel totransition to a dark display when the input operation is not detectedfor a defined period of time; and a settlement processor configured toperform a card-payment transaction settlement process with a transactionsettlement device based on the detected input operation to complete thecard-payment based sales transaction, wherein the card-paymenttransaction settlement process includes at least a step of transmittinga settlement request to the transaction settlement device and a step ofdisplaying a result of the card-payment based sales transaction on thetouch panel, wherein the mode controller is configured to cause displayof content displayed on the touch panel to be continued instead ofcausing the display of the touch panel to transition to the dark displayeven when the input operation is not detected for the defined period oftime while the card-payment transaction settlement process is inprogress on the settlement processor, and, after the card-paymenttransaction settlement process is ended, to resume causing the displayof the touch panel to transition to a dark display when the inputoperation is not detected for the defined period of time.
 2. Thetransaction terminal device of claim 1, wherein the mode controllercauses the display of content displayed on the touch panel to becontinued instead of causing the display of the touch panel totransition to the dark display while the settlement processor is incommunication with the transaction settlement device.
 3. The transactionterminal device of claim 1, wherein the one or more software keysincludes a confirmation key configured to complete input of datanecessary to complete the card-payment based sales transaction.
 4. Thetransaction terminal device of claim 3, wherein the data necessary tocomplete the card-payment based sales transaction includes cardinformation including an amount of card purchase, card ID information,and a number of installment payments.
 5. The transaction terminal deviceof claim 1, wherein the one or more software keys includes at least oneof: a key to select a card brand, a key to input an amount of purchase,a key to input a method of card payment, a key to input authenticationinformation, and a key to request a card-payment based salestransaction.
 6. The transaction terminal device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a card reader configured to read card information from acredit card.
 7. The transaction terminal device of claim 6, wherein thecard-payment transaction settlement process starts with reading of thecard information by the card reader and ends with displaying the resultof the card-payment based sales transaction on the touch panel.
 8. Thetransaction terminal device of claim 6, further comprising a printer,wherein the card-payment transaction settlement process starts withreading of the card information by the card reader and ends withprinting of a receipt by the printer.
 9. The transaction terminal deviceof claim 1, wherein the card-payment transaction settlement processstarts with input of a payment method and ends with displaying theresult of the card-payment based sales transaction on the touch panel.10. A method of transaction settlement, comprising: displaying variousscreens on a touch panel of a transaction terminal device, at least onescreen including one or more software keys configured to affect acard-payment based sales transaction when selected; detecting an inputoperation with respect to the one or more software keys in the screendisplayed on the touch panel; causing a display of the touch panel totransition to a dark display in response to detecting no input operationon the touch panel for a defined period of time; performing acard-payment transaction settlement process based on the detected inputoperation to complete the card-payment based sales transaction, whereinthe card-payment transaction settlement process includes at least a stepof transmitting a settlement request to the transaction settlementdevice and a step of displaying a result of the card-payment based salestransaction on the touch panel; continuing display of content displayedon the touch panel while the card-payment transaction settlement processis performed regardless of no input operation detection for the definedperiod of time; and after the card-payment transaction settlementprocess is ended, resuming causing the display of the touch panel totransition to a dark display when the input operation is not detectedfor the defined period of time.
 11. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: continuing the display of content displayed on the touchpanel while the transaction terminal device is in communication with atransaction settlement device.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein theone or more software keys includes a confirmation key configured tocomplete input of data necessary to complete the card-payment basedsales transaction.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the datanecessary to complete the card-payment based sales transaction includescard information including an amount of card purchase, card IDinformation, and a number of installment payments.
 14. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the one or more software keys includes at least oneof: a key to select a card brand, a key to input an amount of purchase,a key to input a method of card payment, a key to input authenticationinformation, and a key to request a card-payment based salestransaction.
 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising: readingcard information from a credit card.
 16. The method of claim 15, whereinthe card-payment transaction settlement process starts with reading ofthe card information and ends with displaying the result of thecard-payment based sales transaction on the touch panel.
 17. The methodof claim 15, wherein the card-payment transaction settlement processstarts with reading of the card information and ends with printing of areceipt of the card-payment based sales transaction.
 18. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the card-payment transaction settlement process startswith input of a payment method and ends with displaying the result ofthe card-payment based sales transaction on the touch panel.